New options coming for areas considered ‘transportation deserts’ in Connecticut

EAST WINDSOR, Conn. (WTNH) — Gov. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.) and state transportation employees announced a new form of public transportation coming to more than a dozen municipalities.

It’s called microtransit service. Commuters can request a ride through an app or by calling a phone number. A car will come right to your door and take you to a location within a designated transit area. 

This program is designed to help people who live in areas that are called “transportation deserts.” 

Mill Pond Village is one of the largest apartment complexes in East Windsor. The first selectman said about 10% of the town’s population lives here. However, some residents believe the community needs a form of public transportation. 

“You will see people walking or riding their bikes,” said neighbor Emma Acura. “Sometimes, it’s kind of dangerous. If you come down this street in the middle of the night, if you don’t have a sweater on or a vest, how are people going to see you? Where are they going?”

The on-demand microtransit service will start in parts of East Windsor next week. The program is mostly funded by the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Trips will generally cost $1.75 to $3 each. 

“I think this microtransit will be customized to each personality of each and every one of your towns,” Lamont said.

Four cars will be used for this service during the first year of the program in East Windsor. Each vehicle is wheelchair accessible and has a card reader for paying while riding. 

Derek Weeda, a special education student in the transitional program at East Windsor High School, is thrilled about this program. He said it helps him become more independent by allowing him to use it to get to work and other activities.

“All of us, we don’t have a driver’s license, so when our parents can’t drive us, we need a ride somehow,” he said. 

Jim Gildea, the Connecticut Public Transporation Council chairman, believes microtransit services could solve a statewide issue known as the first and last mile home. 

“How they get to their train station, how they get to their bus station, how they get home has really been not something we have focused on in the past few years, so I think that’s one benefit of the microtransit program,” he said. 

Here is when you can expect this service in your town and which companies are running the service: 

Starting March 26, 2024

• Norwalk Transit District: Serving Norwalk.

Starting April 1, 2024

• Greater Hartford Transit: Serving Enfield and portions of East Windsor.
• Southeast Area Transit (SEAT): Serving Groton.
• Southeast Area Transit (SEAT): Serving New London.
• Valley Transit District: Serving the Ansonia Train Station, Derby, and Shelton.

Starting April 6, 2024

• Southeast Area Transit (SEAT): Stonington HOP, additional service hours on existing services to include Saturday service.

Starting April 8, 2024

• Milford Transit: Serving Milford.

Starting April 22, 2024

• Greater Bridgeport Transit: Serving Trumbull.

Starting May 6, 2024

• Southeast Area Transit (SEAT): New London Smart: Service to include late night service on existing microtransit services.
• Southeast Area Transit (SEAT): Serving Waterford.

Starting May 28, 2024

• River Valley Transit (Estuary Transit): Serving Madison, Guilford, and portions of East Hampton and Middletown.

Starting July 1, 2024

• City of Stamford: Serving a five-mile boundary within the city.

Starting July 30, 2024

• City of New Haven: Serving the Hill, West River, Dwight, Edgewood, Beaver Hills, and West Rock neighborhoods with connections to existing transit services.

Visit individual transit organizations for more information and details about their services.